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The Butterfly Girl
The Butterfly Girl: A Novel | Rene Denfeld
42 posts | 37 read | 30 to read
The Butterfly Girl is a riveting novel that ripples with truth, exploring the depths of love and sacrifice in the face of a past that cannot be left dead and buried. A year ago, Naomi, the investigator with an uncanny ability for finding missing children, made a promise that she would not take another case until she finds the younger sister who has been missing for years. Naomi has no picture, not even a name. All she has is a vague memory of a strawberry field at night, black dirt under her bare feet as she ran for her life. The search takes her to Portland, Oregon, where scores of homeless children wander the streets like ghosts, searching for money, food, and companionship. The sharp-eyed investigator soon discovers that young girls have been going missing for months, many later found in the dirty waters of the river. Though she does not want to get involved, Naomi is unable to resist the pull of children in needand the fear she sees in the eyes of a twelve-year old girl named Celia. Running from an abusive stepfather and an addict mother, Celia has nothing but hope in the butterfliesher guides and guardians on the dangerous streets. She sees them all around her, tiny iridescent wisps of hope that soften the edges of this hard world and illuminate a cherished memory from her childhoodthe Butterfly Museum, a place where everything is safe and nothing can hurt her. As danger creeps closer, Naomi and Celia find echoes of themselves in one another, forcing them each to consider the question: Can you still be lost even when youve been found? But will they find the answer too late?
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Addison_Reads
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this one as much as the first book. The two storylines involving missing/abused girls worked really well. There were enough differences to keep me quickly turning pages to find out what connections would be made.

Great mystery, with a few predictable twists but they didn't take away from the read.

#SeriesRead2022 @TheSpineView #TeamSlaughter #Scarathlon #Scarathlon2022 @Clwojick

TheSpineView Excellent 1y
jlhammar I hope we get a new Denfeld soon! I've enjoyed all of her books. 1y
Clwojick Way to go! 🖤🦇 1y
34 likes3 comments
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Addison_Reads
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As if I didn't already have enough books for #Scarathlon 😁

This is my latest library haul. Starting the tagged book tonight to log a few hours before bedtime.

@Clwojick #TeamSlaughter

Clwojick I enjoyed We We‘re Never Here. 🖤 1y
MatchlessMarie I just saw Off With Her Head show up on my libraries “recently added” section 🧐 1y
31 likes2 comments
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sharread
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Pickpick

4 stars Naomi the main character was abducted as a child. Now she is older and investigates missing children's case. She gets a case that gives her tips about her younger sister she left behind when she escaped. She's not police or FBI, just a citizen with painful memories she fights with. There's some trauma triggers. #BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
41 likes1 comment
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Twocougs
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Pickpick

Not my usually genre but enjoyed very much, even though my heart was breaking all over the place. As a society, how can we not protect our kids better?

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CassieT
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Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️
I enjoyed this book, but not nearly as much as Child Finder. While CF was a dance between delicate innocence and consuming darkness, this book was a lot more raw and gritty. It lacked the creative beauty and intrigue of the first one. I will keep my fingers crossed for more from this author and Naomi. I recommend this book for those who wish to continue following the series. There is profanity and discussions of sexual assault and murder.

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Rebonkula
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Celia knew a bad place when she saw it. #firstlinefriday

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CBee
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Pickpick

I really loved The Child Finder - this is the 2nd in that series, and it was just as incredible! I love watching Naomi finally figure out the pieces to a puzzle she‘s been trying to put back together for most of her life. And the butterflies - beautiful. ❤️

57 likes2 stack adds
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LibrarianBecky
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Pickpick

Finish a book in one sitting? Why of course!! Oh MyLanta was this a great book! I honestly couldn‘t put it down until I finished!! Highly recommend!! Goes with “The child finder” 😭😬😱🥺.

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swishandflick
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Pickpick

I thought The Child Finder was phenomenal, and was stoked to stumble on the sequel while browsing Libby. A shorter book that packs quite a punch, it follows Naomi on the search for her sister while also intertwining with a young homeless girl who takes comfort in butterflies, both real and imagined. I thought it was an excellent addition to the series, though a smidge less absorbing than its predecessor.

⚠️TW for child abuse in both books

SamAnne I picked this up during the last dash in the library before it closed because of Corona. But it‘s languishing in a large pile of other books! Should I read the first book instead? I didn‘t realize it was a sequel. 4y
swishandflick @SamAnne Yes, you should definitely read the first book first! 4y
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candority
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Pickpick

As the sequel to The Child Finder, The Butterfly Girl was a compelling read that effortlessly weaves together two story lines: Naomi‘s personal search for her missing sister and the story of Celia, a 12-year-old girl living on the streets of Portland. Although there are plenty of difficult topics in this book (homelessness, child abuse), Denfeld writes with such grace that the overall story feels hopeful. This is my #bookspin pick for April! 4 ⭐️

TheAromaofBooks Great review!! Sometimes I think novels try too hard to be “gritty and realistic“ - I prefer ones that come through with a message that yes, really really bad stuff happens, but that doesn't mean that ONLY bad stuff happens. 4y
candority Thank you @TheAromaofBooks! I totally agree 😊 4y
71 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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candority
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Here are my #bookspin, #doublespin, and #triplespin books for April. I can‘t wait to dive in! I‘m going to start The Butterfly Girl tonight! 📚

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
Joanne1 If only your triplespin had the word girl in the title too! 4y
candority @Joanne1 Oh, I hadn‘t even noticed! If only it did! 4y
75 likes3 comments
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Bookish.SAM
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Pickpick

Rene Denfeld is most definitely a go-to author for me. The Enchanted will forever be my favourite but this did not disappoint.
I wish I could articulate how moved I always am by her writing and beyond that, from what I‘ve read about her, she seems to be such an intriguing person.

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Gissy
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Pickpick

Last book read in Contemporary-A-Thon & also it was discussed in book club at BookMarkPR.This a sequel novel, I have not read 1st book yet.It is a thriller, so my recommendation is that you should go blind but it is about an investigator who search missing children.The end was too happy but after our interview with the author my perspective changed. She was a foster girl & now is a foster mom.Her experiences motivated her to write the book 3.9⭐️❤️

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Lizpixie
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Pickpick

Bk2 of my #24B4Monday #readathon is finished. Bk2 also of the “Child Finder” series, it definitely lived up to the expectations from Bk1, it continued Naomi‘s story brilliantly while weaving it with that of another lost girl.While Naomi is driven to find the sister she‘s only just remembered having, Celia is driven from fear of what her stepdad will do to the sister she left behind. #Booked2020 #AnimalOnTheCover #PopSugar20 #MeantToReadIn2019 👇👇

Cinfhen Would also work for #CoverCrush 💚🥰 4y
Cinfhen I love the idea of #AntiAlphabetSoup / I‘m guessing it‘s titles that omit a letter???!!! 4y
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Lizpixie @Cinfhen Yes! @Clwojick pointed it out, there‘s a group on goodreads I think👍 4y
jb72 You‘re doing great! 4y
Andrew65 Great time as always. 👏👏👏 4y
BarbaraTheBibliophage I need to read this series. I enjoyed 4y
Bklover I have this one waiting on my bedside table. Loved the first one! 4y
43 likes8 comments
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Lizpixie
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Bk2 of my #24B4Monday #readathon is the 2nd book in the “Child Finder” series. I had no idea this existed until recently, the 1st book was in my Top 10 of 2018. Naomi specialises in finding missing children,having been one herself she‘s uniquely qualified for the job.But the last one brought back some memories, of a sister she knows nothing about.And now there‘s Celia, a 12yr old on the run, believing in nothing but the butterflies all around her.

JacqMac I didn‘t know there was a second book. I loved the first one, too. Now I have a mission. Lol 4y
jb72 It‘s always nice to find more books with characters you like. 4y
Lizpixie @JacqMac it‘s well worth tracking down, it brings Naomis story to a satisfying end. 4y
JacqMac @Lizpixie Thanks for letting me know. I put it on hold at the library. 4y
Andrew65 A great cover, doing well as usual. 4y
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Bklover
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Do any of you do this too? I read The Child Finder by this author quite a while ago. I have been waiting and waiting for her next book (this one) to finally come out. I received it for Christmas (I was rather specific in my requests) and am ecstatic. Only now I can‘t get myself to start reading it. Because then.....then it will be over. So I carry it around with me.
😳😳🙄

KT1432 You‘re not alone lol 4y
LauraJ All the time! 4y
marleed oh yes, I read 5 Taylor Jenkins Reid stories in 2019. I physically own her first two books, but I've waited to read them just so I have something to anticipate right at my very fingertips! 4y
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aartichapati Is this the author who wrote The Enchanted? If so, I completely understand that feeling of anticipation and nostalgia all at once! 4y
Bklover @LauraJ @lele1432 😊👍 (edited) 4y
Bklover @marleed Yes! I‘ll get to it eventually. Just want to savor it for a while. 4y
Bklover @aartichapati Yes -same author! I love this series with Naomi! 4y
robinb Guilty too! 🙋🏻‍♀️🤣 4y
Victoria_Clyne I had to wait well over a year for the final installment in a series. Was so excited to get my copy, which was a physical book to match the other. Started reading it but put it down because with two little kids I just couldn't focus on it enough. I'm hoping to read it this year. 4y
Lizpixie 🙋🏻‍♀️me too. 4y
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AshleyC816
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this one! Good follow-up to the Child Finder. Creepy without being over the top. I also really rooted for the little girl and her friends-tough little kids!

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TEArificbooks
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Pickpick

This was a great sequel to the first book. I liked this one better and the author has improved her writing. Parts were very sickening to read but that is the reality of the world. Book 3 of #24B42020. @Clwojick @StayCurious @Bookworm54 #wintergames #teamnutcracker

Tbr read 16 pts

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TEArificbooks
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Today‘s candle is Whoville and smells of candy canes and vanilla cupcakes. Going to start this tbr book while my hubby hangs more book shelves in the library. @Clwojick @StayCurious @Bookworm54 #wintergames #teamnutcracker

1 pt participation

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Bklover
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This was my Christmas and birthday haul. My kids know me lol. My oldest daughter looked at my Litsy TBR and went shopping! Plus my son-in-law got me a bookish iPad cover too! This year Christmas was financially rough for me and my awesome children made up for it. Made me a proud mama. So I‘m not sure where to start! #LittenChristmasBooks

squirrelbrain Lovely gifts! ❤️ 4y
Bklover @squirrelbrain Thanks, Helen. I‘m almost embarrassed. That‘s the most I‘ve ever gotten for Christmas- I was overwhelmed! 4y
Beatlefan129 I saw those socks and had to google the company—they make a donation to a non-profit for every pair of socks they sell, which is awesome! 4y
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TrishB Lovely gifts ❤️ 4y
Suet624 How wonderful! 4y
Bklover @Beatlefan129 Isn‘t that great about the sock company? My daughter is a social worker and has a knack for finding these kinds of things. 4y
Reggie How nice!!! 4y
WriterReaderTrainer Aw, this warms my heart. People supporting people. ❤ 4y
Bklover @WriterReaderTrainer It warms my heart too!❤️ 4y
Ladygodiva7 I love the So Many Books iPad cover! 💙 4y
113 likes10 comments
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flying_monkeys
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“What the children needed, she told them, was to hear they were loved. Not loved despite what happened to them. Loved including it. That‘s what we all want, Naomi thought...”

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flying_monkeys
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”It made Celia think of how butterflies turn poison into protection. The monarch eats milkweed plants and turns them into honest-to-God cyanide, so any predator that eats it will die. Celia liked that. She wished she was capable of killing men for just a taste. She imagined what the streets would look like then. But the poison comes with a cost, she thought. The butterfly, eaten, still dies.”

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WanderingBookaneer
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Loving this cover!

Balibee146 It's fantastic 👍 4y
60 likes1 comment
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Lizpixie
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Bk2 in my #libraryhaul is the sequel to The Child Finder, a book I read in 2017. After the events in Bk1, Naomi, an investigator specialising in child abductions, is now dealing with the memories of a sister lost when she was an abducted child herself. Following a lead to Portland, Oregon, she finds that young girls have been going missing for months, only to be found later in the river. I really liked the 1st book so have high hopes for this.

Bklover I didn‘t realize this was out! I really really liked The Child Finder- will be looking forward to your thoughts on this one. 4y
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rsteve388
Pickpick

This book should come with a trigger warning. It has homelessness and molestation and was really hard to listen to. A beautiful story about resilience and the difficulty it takes to keep hope in times of dire needs.

This story is labeled as a thriller psychological suspense and while it had those components my initial feeling of the story is that what makes it scary is that the author describes homelessness so accurately. #Teamslaughter

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rsteve388

Start this book yesterday. I am working my way through two books in this last week. 1.) NO Exit and 2.) The Butterfly Girl. I am currently up to Chapter 16 to 26 today. #TeamSlaughter @Clwojick

Also are you all ready for #AllHallowsRead I can't wait to open my box tomorrow!

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BookBelle84
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Pickpick

This was a beautifully written book. Rene Denfeld shows a side of homeless youth that most people don't understand, like she did in The Enchanted with death row inmates. She creates amazing empathy as a reader and her characters are so complex. While this book is technically a mystery I think it was so much more. It will certainly make me look at the homeless in my own city under a while new light.

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Kimbono
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Next up...

Bklover How was this one? I‘ve been looking forward to it! 4y
21 likes1 comment
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MelindaOtt
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I was a little perplexed when I saw that The Child Hunter had a sequel, but I knew I had to read it. This one wasn't an easy read--you can apply pretty much all the trigger warnings to this book, but it was a beautiful read. Denfield's language is evocative and she can write about even the ugliest things in a way that is still beautiful. My one caveat is that I would definitely recommend reading The Child Finder before this one.

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BookBelle84
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Such beautiful writing.

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JenReadsAlot
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Pickpick

So good! I've loved every book by this author. #catsoflitsy

overtheedge Gorgeous cat 4y
24 likes2 comments
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BookBelle84
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Reagan
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I‘m failing super hard at reading this slowly and savouring every word. I was on page 40 this morning and I cannot stop reading.

JenReadsAlot I'm so excited for this book! 4y
CBee I didn‘t realize there was a 2nd book in the series! Devoured the first one! 4y
Reagan @JenReadsAlot @CBee I finished it and loved it!! I hope there is another one. 4y
34 likes3 comments
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bookishkai
Pickpick

Five stars, fan-freaking-tastic, all the good review things. This was amazing. I loved The Child Finder (loved it even more upon rereading), and this did not disappoint. As always, the children were just as richly drawn as the adults, which shows the respect Denfeld has for children. The writing was beautiful, and while I kind of assumed how things would turn out, I liked the way it was handled. A must read if you liked The Child Finder.

25 likes1 stack add
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BlueStockingReviews
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Pickpick

Sign up for The Butterfly Girl drawing at https://www.bluestockingreviews.com/contact-me Registration ends 9/30/19. Book publishing 10/1/19.

Well-ReadNeck 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 5y
38 likes1 comment
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MargaretPinardAuthor
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Pickpick

Finished listening to this book on audio—what an exciting finale! And while two characters were on the train through the forest, I was on a train through Baltimore! (Or should‘ve been, if Amtrak wasn‘t delayed 😤)
Some of the landscape evokes the industrial unkempt area of Portland that provides setting for the book...

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Mirandareads
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Pickpick

The Butterfly Girl is the sequel to Child Finder, a novel I LOVED!! This was just as good if not better. I am in love with Rene Denfeld's writing 💜.

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ErikasMindfulShelf
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June 2019
It‘s been a busy month.
Favorite: Ask Again, Yes

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Lots of great reads there! 💖📖💖 5y
34 likes1 comment
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ErikasMindfulShelf
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Pickpick

Another great novel by Rene Denfeld. Difficult subject matter, but still full of hope.

JanuarieTimewalker13 I still need to read this author! I own 5y
55 likes1 stack add1 comment
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ErikasMindfulShelf
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Lots of great books today. I‘m most excited about the tagged book. My kids were happy too with all the books I got for them. #BookExpo

britt_brooke Nice!! 5y
MrBook Niiiice! Seeing you tomorrow? 😁🤞🏻🤞🏻🤗 5y
ErikasMindfulShelf @MrBook I hope so. I‘ll keep my eye out. 5y
See All 17 Comments
MrBook @irre 🤗 Many of us are meeting afterward for dinner. Convo in Slack! 😁 5y
MrBook @irre Where are you now? 5y
ErikasMindfulShelf @MrBook In line for Harper arc drop 5y
MrBook Okay. We *will* see each other 😆 5y
MrBook @irre I‘m standing on the Table 3 standby line if you want to come by. I‘ll be here for a bit. I‘m near the front of it. Author is Cahalan 5y
ErikasMindfulShelf @MrBook Planning on going to middle grade buzz authors now. 5y
MrBook @irre 👍🏻👍🏻 Max Brooks line 5y
SilversReviews Love William Kent Krueger...enjoy all of your books. 5y
ErikasMindfulShelf @SilversReviews Thanks. Missed you! 5y
SilversReviews @irre Thanks...I really missed everyone too. How was Speed Dating? 5y
SilversReviews Ooooo...I have already read NEVER HAVE I EVER...hope you like it. 5y
ErikasMindfulShelf @SilversReviews Speed dating was great as always! 5y
SilversReviews @irre 😊 😊 5y
51 likes17 comments
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Kappadeemom
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Flying through this advanced copy. So heartbreaking.

JenReadsAlot I loved her other books! 5y
ErikasMindfulShelf I can‘t wait to read it. Such a great author! 5y
Kappadeemom This book. Ohmygosh. It was so good and so hard to read. As someone who lives in a small town,I haven‘t really thought that much about homeless children (and why they might be homeless). I think I am like a lot of people that think that someone in “authority” can take care of them. These children get murdered and/or go missing and then forgotten within a few hours. Gut wrenching but a great book. 5y
50 likes3 comments